System for mounting a display to a computer

ABSTRACT

A computer includes various features that improve its functionality and/or ease of use. A modular electronics cartridge that includes a piston seal and opposed-direction latches removably engages a cartridge bay of the computer. A high intensity touch-screen display and a high power processor are disposed in a sealed compartment of the computer, and a remote heat exchanger is used to cool the sealed compartment. An interface converter/adapter converts a standard mini-PCI Express slot into a specialized mini-PCI Express slot with voice capabilities. SIM and microSD card slots mount to a pivoting door on the computer such that opening the door provides easier access to the card slots.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/405,926, filed Oct. 22, 2010, titled“COMPUTER,” and is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/969,191, filed Dec. 15, 2010, titled “Computer With RemovableCartridge,” U.S. application Ser. No. 12/969,159, filed Dec. 15, 2010,titled “Computer With Door-Mounted Electronics,” and U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/969,172, filed Dec. 15, 2010, titled “Computer With HighIntensity Screen,” the entire contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate generally toportable computers.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable computers such as laptops and tablet PCs are used in a widevariety of environments. Ruggedized laptops and tablet PCs includesealed compartments to house the computer's components so as todiscourage foreign debris/moisture from entering the compartments anddamaging the computer. Ruggedized laptops and tablets may also includevarious features that protect the computer from damage caused by roughhandling, drops, and other impacts. Xplore Technologies Corporation'siX104C4 tablet PC is an example of such a ruggedized computer.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide increasedfunctionality and/or ease of use to computers such as laptops and tabletPCS, including ruggedized versions of such computers.

One or more of these embodiments provides a tablet computer including acase defining a sealed compartment, a touch-screen display supported bythe case, the display facing outward away from the case, the displayfurther comprising a screen and a touch panel, disposed outwardly of thescreen and being transparent to allow viewing of the screentherethrough, through an opening in the case, a sealing member, disposedbetween the touch panel and the opening in the case in a water tightsealing relation, and a frame, disposed about a perimeter of the touchpanel and configured and arranged to transfer a compressive forcegenerated between the sealing member and the touch panel to a chassisdisposed in the case, substantially without transmitting the compressiveforce to the screen.

These and other aspects of various embodiments of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structuralcomponents illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciatedthat structural features shown or described in any one embodiment hereincan be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specificationand in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” includeplural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of embodiments of the present invention aswell as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made tothe following description which is to be used in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a computer according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is rear perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1 with itsbattery removed;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view of the computer of FIG. 1, with anelectronics cartridge removed to show several electronics interfaces ofthe computer;

FIG. 6 is a partial rear perspective of a motherboard of the computerwith a radio connected to an interface of the computer;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an interface converter that may be used inconjunction with the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the interface converter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial rear view of the computer of FIG. 1, with theconverter of FIG. 7 mounted to an interface of the computer;

FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of the computer of FIG. 1, with theconverter of FIG. 7 mounted to the computer and a radio mounted to theconverter;

FIGS. 11A-11E are wiring/pin layout diagrams for the interface converterof FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a partial rear view of the computer of FIG. 1 showing anelectronics interface door in an open position;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the computer of FIG. 1showing the electronics interface door in a closed position;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1 showing anelectronics cartridge in a partially disengaged position relative to anelectronics cartridge bay of the computer;

FIG. 15 is a lower perspective view of the electronics cartridge of FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a partially-exploded, upper perspective view of theelectronics cartridge of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the computer of FIG. 1 showingthe electronics cartridge in a partially removed position;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are partial, cross-sectional views of the computer ofFIG. 1 showing the electronics cartridge in an engaged position;

FIG. 20 is a perspective, exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 14containing a plurality of hard drives;

FIG. 21 is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative embodiment ofan electronics cartridge for use with the computer of FIG. 1, whereinthe cartridge includes a mass storage device and a video processor;

FIG. 22 is a partial front view of a motherboard and remote heatexchanger of the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a partial, perspective, exploded view of a connection betweenan electronics interface of the cartridge bay and the case of thecomputer;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are partial cross-sectional views of the computer ofFIG. 1, showing the electronics cartridge bay, an electronics interfacethereof, and the electronics cartridge;

FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the computer of FIG. 1,taken along the line 26-26 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the computer of FIG. 1,taken along the line 27-27 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is a detailed view of the cross-sectional view in FIG. 26; and

FIG. 29 is a perspective exploded view of the display and supportingframe of the computer of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-22 illustrate a tablet PC 10 according to an embodiment of theinvention. Although the illustrated computer 10 comprises a tablet PC, avariety of different types of computers may alternatively be usedaccording to various embodiments of the present invention (e.g., aportable laptop PC with a display that pivots (or otherwise moves) openand closed relative to the PC's case; a desktop PC with a case that isphysically separate from the display; a handheld computer such as asmartphone, PDA, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4 and separately discussed in greater detail below, thetablet 10 comprises, among other things, a case 20, a motherboard 40, achipset 50, a display 80, a remote heat exchanger 100, a plurality ofelectronics interfaces 200, 210, 220, 400, a docking connector 250, abattery 550, an electronics access door 410, a GPS 590. one or moreradios 380, 620 that utilize antennas 630, 640, a cartridge bay 800 thataccepts a variety of modular, modular electronics-containing cartridges700, 1000, and power and function switches 1200, 1210.

The case 20 provides a structural frame for the tablet 20. In theillustrated embodiment, the case 20 is defined by a plurality ofseparate components that connect to each other. The case 20 mayalternatively be defined by greater or fewer structures withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention. The case 20 maycomprise materials that are light, strong, impact resistant,abrasion-resistant, scratch-resistant, shock-absorbing, and/orwater-tight (e.g., aluminum, titanium, magnesium, plastic, rubber,elastomeric materials, etc.). According to one embodiment, the mainupper and lower structural portions of the case 20 and the door 410comprise magnesium, while a holed cover 180 for the fan 140 comprisesplastic.

As shown in FIG. 4, the case 20, either alone or in combination withother components (e.g., the display 80, the door 410, cartridge 700,1000), creates a water-tight, sealed compartment 30 (also known as a“dry” compartment). As shown in FIG. 4, the sealed compartment 30contains a variety of the tablet components, including, among others,the motherboard 40, chipset 50, interfaces 200, 210, 220, 400, 770,electric contacts 350, 480, 490, an interface converter 300, radio(s)380, 620, SIM and memory cards 440, 460, a speaker 230, and a microphone240.

The case 20 likewise defines a “wet” space 60 that is disposed outsideof the “dry” compartment 30 and is exposed to the ambient environmentoutside of the sealed compartment 30. The wet space 60 includes spacewithin the case 20, but outside of the sealed compartment 30, and spaceoutside of the case 20. Tablet 10 components such as a fan 140, heatsink 130, docking interface 250, power connector 560, battery 550, GPS590, switches/buttons 1200, 1210, and antennas 630, 640 are disposed atleast partially in the wet space 60.

Some components of the tablet 10 are partially disposed in the sealedcompartment 30 and partially disposed in the wet area 60, including, forexample, the display 80, the heat pipe 110, the power connector 560, andthe door 410. For such dual-space components, a suitable sealingstructure (e.g., a gasket, silicone sealant) is used to seal the portionof the component in the sealed compartment 30 from the portion of thecomponent in the wet space 60.

Although particular components are illustrated as being in particularspaces 30, 60, any one or more components of the tablet 10 may bedisposed in a different space 30, 60, depending on the environment inwhich the tablet 10 is to be used, the ruggedness of the component,and/or other design consideration(s) without deviating from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, the speaker 230 and microphone 240may be disposed in the wet space 60.

As used herein, the phrase “water-tight” in reference to a connection orseal means that the connection will prevent water leakage therethroughwhen the connection is submerged in water. According to variousembodiments, the entire sealed compartment 30 (including all water-tightconnections/seals that separate the compartment 30 from the wet space60) is water-tight to a water depth of at least 1 meter.

The motherboard 40 is supported by the case 20. According to variousembodiments, the motherboard 40 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB),a plurality of PCBs, or another structure suitable for use inelectrically interconnecting circuits, chips 50, 70, interfaces 200,210, 220, 770, the display 80, components, cards 440, 460, devices 380,620, a battery 550, the cartridge(s) 700, 1000, etc. to each other.However, various components of the tablet 10 may alternatively directlyconnect to each other without the use of an intermediary motherboard 40,according to various embodiments of the present invention.

The chipset 50 electrically connects to the motherboard 40. The chipset50 comprises one or more chips for providing functionality to the tablet10 (e.g., for communicating with electronics components of the tablet,for running an operating system of the tablet 10 (e.g., MicrosoftWindows, Linux, etc.), for running executable programs/code stored on astorage device of the tablet 10, for running the display 80 and screen81 thereof, for running the user interface (e.g., the touch panel 82) ofthe tablet 10, for interconnecting tablet components). The chipset 50includes a variety of chips and circuits, including, among others, acentral processing unit (CPU) 70 (see FIG. 22), a platform controllerhub (PCH) 75 (see FIG. 22), a graphics processing unit (GPU),interface-specific chips/controllers, and memory (e.g., random accessmemory). However, the chipset 50 may additionally and/or alternativelycomprise other chips/circuits without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention.

The processor 70 may comprise any suitable processor (e.g., Intel® Core™i7 processor, other Intel® Core™ i processors, Intel dual coreprocessors, Intel Atom processors, AMD processors, ARM based processors,etc.) or combination of processors (e.g., a dual processor, quadprocessor, etc.) for carrying out various functions of the tablet 10(e.g., running the operating system and programs/executable code).According to various embodiments, the processor 70 generates at least 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 watts of heat during use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the display 80 is supported by the case 20and electrically connected to the chipset 50 (e.g., a GPU or CPU of thechipset) via the motherboard 40. As shown in FIGS. 26-29, the display 80includes a screen 81 and a touch panel 82 disposed outwardly from thescreen 81. As shown in FIGS. 26-28, the display 80 (and particularly thescreen 81 thereof) faces toward the touch panel 82 and outward away fromthe case 20 through a display opening 83 in the case 20. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 26, a rear side 80 a of the display 80, including the screen81, is disposed in the sealed compartment 30.

Hereinafter, the manner in which the display 80 is mounted to the tablet10 is described with reference to FIGS. 26-29.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 26-27, the touch panel 82 is accessible throughthe display opening 83 in the case 20 and the screen 81 is viewablethrough the opening 83 and transparent portion of the touch panel 82.

As shown in FIGS. 26-28, an elastomeric gasket 84 surrounds a perimeterof the opening 83 and is glued or otherwise adhered in a water-tightmanner to the case 20. The gasket 84 and touch-panel 82 press againsteach other to form a water-tight seal that separates the sealedcompartment 30 on the interior side of the touch panel 82 from the wetspace 60 on an exterior side of the touch panel 82.

The sealing force exerted between the touch panel 82 and gasket 84 iscreated by the case 20, a chassis 85, and a frame 86. The chassis 85mounts to the case 20, or is formed by the case 20. The frame 86 restson top of the chassis 85. The frame 86 follows the perimeter of theopening 83 and the perimeter of the touch panel 82. A perimeter of thetouch panel 82 rests on top of and is supported by the frame 86. Thetouch panel 82 may be glued or otherwise fastened to the frame 86 (e.g.,via double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape). Alternatively, thetouch panel 82 may be held in place solely by it being sandwichedbetween the gasket 84 and frame 86.

The compressive force that provides the water-tight seal between thetouch panel 82 and gasket 84 is transferred from the case 20 to thechassis 85, from the chassis 85 to the frame 86, from the frame 86 tothe touch panel 82, and finally from the touch panel 82 back to thegasket 84 that is supported by the case 20. The compressive force isdeveloped when the case 20 is bolted (or otherwise fastened) togetherwhile the chassis 85, frame 86, touch panel 82, and gasket 84 are inplace. The tightening of the bolts creates the compressive force as thechassis 85 (and lower portion of the case 20) is pressed toward theupper portion of the case 20.

According to various embodiments of the invention, the direct transferof sealing force from structural components of the tablet 10 (e.g., thecase 10, chassis 85, and frame 86) to the touch panel 82 and gasket 84facilitates an accurate and precise application of constant sealingforce around the entire perimeter of the seal between the gasket 84 andtouch panel 82. As shown in FIG. 26, the use of the frame 86 providesfor a precise stackup distance between the upper surface of the chassis85 and the upper surface of the touch panel, which contacts the gasket84. In the illustrated embodiment, the stackup distance is 9.28 mm, butmay be other distances according to other embodiments of the presentinvention.

Conversely, the sealing force that seals the gasket 84 and touch panel82 together is not transferred through the display screen 81. Putanother way, the screen 81 is isolated from the sealing force exertedbetween the touch panel 82 and gasket 84. According to variousembodiments of the present invention, avoiding such force transferthrough the screen 81 may provide several benefits. First, because thescreen 81 is slightly compressible according to various embodiments,transferring the sealing force through the screen 81 could result in aless precise stackup distance between the chassis 85 and top surface ofthe touch panel 82, which could increase the chance of leaks. If thesealing force were transferred through the screen 81, the samecompressibility of the screen 81 may result in inconsistent sealingpressure around the perimeter of the seal. Furthermore, compression ofthe screen 81 that would result from transferring the sealing forcethrough the screen 81 may lead to damage of the screen 81 and lightbleed through the compressed pixels of the screen 81, particularly inembodiments where relatively high sealing forces are used to improve thewater-tight seal (e.g., increase a water depth to which the seal iswater-tight).

Because the water-tight connection between the gasket 84 and touch panel82 relies on compression rather than a more permanent fastener such asglue, maintenance on the touch panel 82 and removal and replacement ofthe touch panel 82 is simplified relative to a computer in which thegasket is glued to both the case and the touch panel, which would makeit more difficult to remove the touch panel from the case. However,according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the gasket 84could be glued to both the case 20 and the touch panel 82 to ensure awater-tight seal even in the absence of compressive sealing force.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket 84 is glued to the case 20 andcompressed against the touch panel 82. Alternatively, the gasket 84could be glued to the touch panel 82 and compressed against the case 20without deviating from the scope of the present invention. According toa further alternative embodiment of the invention, the connectionsbetween the gasket 84 and both the case 20 and touch panel 82 could relyon a compression seal, rather than glue or another intermediaryadhesive.

In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 85 comprises magnesium, andthe frame 86 comprises stamped, bent, 0.3 mm stainless steel. However,the chassis 85 and frame 86 may alternatively comprise other materialswithout deviating from the scope of the present invention. According toan alternative embodiment, the frame 86 and chassis 85 are integrallyformed (e.g., via common casting or subsequent permanent bond).

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, an upper side of a structural frame 81 a ofthe screen 81 is mounted to the frame 86 via double-sided, pressuresensitive adhesive tape 87 (or another suitable fastener).

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the frame 86 has an “L” shapedcross-sectional shape. The structural connection between the chassis 85and frame 86 is on an opposite leg of the “L” from the structuralconnection between the frame 86 and touch panel 82. Similarly, thestructural connection between the chassis 85 and frame 86 is on anopposite leg of the “L” from the structural connection between the frame86 and the screen 81. According to one or more embodiments, the frame 86comprises a material with some elastic properties (e.g., stainlesssteel), such that the “L” shape can flex to some degree to permitlimited movement of the opposite legs of the frame 86 relative to eachother. Such elastic deformation enables the frame 86 to protect thetouch panel 82 and screen 82 from vertical shocks and vibrations thatmight otherwise be transferred from the chassis 85 to the touch panel 82and screen 81 via the frame 86. According to various embodiments of theinvention, the elasticity of the “L” shape also facilitates a moreconsistent sealing pressure around the perimeter of the touch panel 82.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 29, a lower side of the screen 81 is supportedby the chassis 85 via intermediary strips of silicon rubber 88 thatprotect the screen 81 from vertical shocks and vibrations imparted onthe case 20 (e.g., if the tablet 10 was dropped on its rear faceopposite the display 80).

As shown in FIGS. 26-29, strips of silicon foam 89 are disposed betweenthe sides of the frame 86 and the chassis 85 or case 20. The strips 89protects the frame 86 and screen 81 and touch panel 82 mounted theretofrom lateral/side shocks and vibrations imparted on the case 20.

The strips 88, 89 may be held in place via any suitable fastener (e.g.,glue, tape, incorporation of the strips 88, 89 into single-sided ordouble-sided foam/rubber tape).

In the illustrated embodiment, the strips 88 comprise silicon rubber andthe strips 89 comprise silicon foam. However, according to alternativeembodiments of the present invention, the strips 88, 89 mayalternatively comprise any other suitable material (e.g., an elastomer,an elastic material, foam, rubber, etc.) without deviating from thescope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 26-29, the frame 86 laterally surrounds the screen 81.Mylar frame spacers 91 are fastened to the inner lateral corners of theframe 86. The spacer 91 are disposed laterally adjacent to the frame 81a of the screen 81 to ensure proper lateral positioning of the screen 81relative to the touch panel 82 and case 20.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention that provides analternative user interface (e.g., a keyboard and/or mouse or otherpointing device), the touch panel 82 can be replaced by a transparentsheet of material such as a sheet of glass or plastic, or omittedaltogether.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the invention provide an electronicsdevice comprising:

a case having a sealed compartment and a display opening;

a display screen disposed in the sealed compartment and viewable throughthe opening;

a touch panel disposed outwardly of the screen; and

a gasket disposed between the touch panel and the case, the gasket andtouch panel sealing the opening to separate the sealed compartment froman environment surrounding the electronics device,

wherein the electronics device creates a sealing force that urges thetouch panel toward the opening relative to the case and against thegasket to seal the opening via the gasket, and

wherein the sealing force is not transferred through the display screen.

According to one or more of these embodiments, the display screen isisolated from the sealing force.

According to one or more of these embodiments, the electronics devicecomprises a computer, and the computer includes a chipset disposed inthe sealed compartment, the chipset being electrically connected to thedisplay screen and touch panel.

According to one or more of these embodiments, the electronics devicecomprises a frame through which the sealing force is transferred,wherein the screen and touch panel are both supported by the frame.

According to one or more embodiments, the screen 81 comprises a highintensity/brightness screen 81 (see FIG. 1) that facilitates improvedviewability of the screen 81 in bright environments (e.g., outdoors indirect sunlight). The screen 81 may be an LED, CCFL, or OLED display(e.g., a high intensity, advanced fringe field switching (AFFS) screenmodule from Hydis Technologies Co.). One or more embodiments of thescreen 81 provide a brightness of at least 500 NIT (a luminance unitequal to 1 candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the raysfrom the source), at least 600 NIT, at least 700 NIT, and/or somewherebetween 500 and 1000 NIT across its viewable area. According to variousembodiments, the screen 81 of the display 80 is at least a 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, and/or 13 inch screen, measured diagonally. According tovarious embodiments, a viewable area of the screen 81 is at least 15,20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and/or 100 square inches.According to one embodiment, the screen 81 is a 10.4 inch diagonalscreen having a 4:3 aspect ratio and a viewable area of about 52 squareinches. According to various embodiments, the screen 81 releases atleast 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and/or 10 or more watts of heat intothe sealed compartment 30 when operated in high brightness/intensitymode.

The screen 81 comprises a heat sink 90 (see FIGS. 4 and 29) disposed ona rear side of the screen 81 in the sealed compartment 30 to dissipateheat from the high-intensity screen 81 into the sealed compartment 30.The heat sink 90 may span a large portion of an area of the screen 81and comprise a high-heat conductivity material such as aluminum.

The touch panel 82 provides a user-interface for the tablet 10.According to one or more embodiments, the touch panel 82 is a multi-modetouch panel 82 that provides for user (or tablet 10) selection betweenthe following modes: a touch only operating mode, a stylus onlyoperating mode, and a dual mode with the stylus operation takingpriority over touch operation.

The high-intensity screen 81 and high-power chipset 50 (and specificallythe processor 70 and PCH 75 thereof) dissipate a large amount of heatinto the sealed compartment 30. Because the compartment 30 is sealedaccording to one or more embodiments, the compartment 30 according toone or more embodiments does not dissipate heat into the ambientenvironment as well as various unsealed compartments would. Moreover,according to one or more embodiments, the display 80, chipset 50, andother components in the sealed compartment 30 generate so much heat thata passive heat exchanger incorporated into the case 20 (e.g., a metalheat sink that thermally connects the sealed compartment 30 to the wetspace 60) would get so hot that it would be uncomfortable for some usersto touch. As explained below, the active coolant remote heat exchanger(RHE) 100 dissipates such heat and facilitates the use of ahigh-intensity display 80 (e.g., 500+ NIT) and/or the combined use of ahigh intensity display 80 (500+ NIT) and a high power CPU 70 thatgenerates 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and/or 10 watts or more of heat.

Hereinafter, the RHE 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 22, the RHE 100 is supported by the case 20 andis constructed and positioned to draw heat from within the sealedcompartment 30 and dissipate the heat into the ambient environment/wetspace 60 around the tablet 10. The RHE 100 includes a coolant passage110, a coolant 120, a heat sink 130, and a fan 140.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 22, the coolant passage 110 (also known as aheat pipe) contains the coolant 120, whose flow is configured to carryheat out of the sealed compartment 30 and into an ambient air/wet space60 outside of the sealed compartment 30. The coolant passage 110 has afirst portion 110 a that is thermally exposed to the sealed compartment30, and a second portion 110 b disposed outside of the sealedcompartment 30. Heat-induced evaporation of the coolant in the firstportion 110 a and cooling-induced condensation of the coolant 120 in thesecond portion 110 b cause the coolant 120 to flow between the first andsecond portions 110 a, 110 b, thereby carrying heat out of the sealedcompartment 30.

According to one or more embodiments, the first portion 110 a of thecoolant passage 110 is thermally coupled to the processor 70 (e.g., viadirect contact, through mutual contact with an intermediary heattransfer medium, via mutual contact with an intermediary heat sink 150(see FIG. 22), etc.) so as to pull heat directly from the heat-producingprocessor 70. As shown in FIG. 22, the heat sink 150 is spring-loaded toas to press against the processor 70, thereby keeping the processor 70in place. The heat sink 150 is thermally coupled to first portion 110 aso as to thermally couple the first portion 110 a to the processor 70.Additionally and/or alternatively, the first portion 110 a may bethermally coupled to other heat producing components of the tablet 10 soas to better dissipate heat generated within the sealed compartment 30.For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 110 a is thermallycoupled to the heat sink 90 of the display 80. As shown in FIG. 22, thefirst portion 110 a is also thermally coupled to the PCH 75 via anintermediate heat sink 160. The first portion 110 a also extends withinthe sealed compartment 30 so as to generally pull heat from the spacewithin the sealed compartment 30. The heat sinks 150, 160 also serve asgeneral heat sinks for the first portion 110 a to help the first portion110 a absorb heat from within the sealed compartment 30.

According to one or more embodiments, the sealed compartment 30 isfan-less, and the RHE 100 relies on natural circulation of gas withinthe sealed compartment 30 and/or heat transfer through the gas in thesealed compartment 30 to transfer heat from various components in thesealed compartment 30 to the first portion 110 a.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 22, the heat sink 130 is supported by the case20, disposed in the wet space 60, and thermally coupled to the secondportion 110 b. As shown in FIG. 22, the heat sink 130 comprises aplurality of heat-dissipating fins.

As used herein, the term “thermal coupling” means a coupling thatfacilitates more heat transfer between components than would be providedif the components were separated by an air gap. Thermal coupling maycomprise direct contact between components. Thermal coupling maycomprise the use of an intermediary structure between the components,wherein the intermediary structure is designed to improve heat transferbetween the components (e.g., a high thermal conductivity metal inmutual contact with both components, a high thermal conductivity pastein mutual contact with the components, etc.).

As used herein, the term “remote” in “remote heat exchanger” means thata portion of the heat exchanger is disposed remote from another portionof heat exchanger (e.g., one portion being disposed in a position toabsorb heat, and a “remote” portion being disposed in a position toexpel heat). Here, the portion 110 a of the RHE 100 is disposed in thesealed compartment 30, and is therefore remote from the portions 110 b(and fan 140 and heat sink 130), which is disposed in the wet space 60.The portions 110 a, 110 b are “remote” from each other despite bothbeing part of the tablet 10.

The fan 140 is supported by the case 20 and disposed outside of thesealed compartment 30 in the wet space 60. The fan 140 is powered by thebattery 550. The fan 140 is positioned to direct a flow of ambient airover the heat sink 130 so as to facilitate heat transfer from the heatsink 130 to the ambient air. The fan 140 is connected to the motherboard40 and controlled by the chipset 50. For example, to conserve battery550 power, the chipset 50 may turn the fan 140 on when a temperature inthe sealed compartment 30 exceeds a threshold and turn the fan 140 offwhen the temperature is below a threshold. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the holed fan cover 180 covers the fan 140 and allows fan-inducedambient air flow through the cover 180. According to one or moreembodiments, the fan cover 180 comprises plastic to minimize heattransfer to the user through via the cover 180.

Although a particular RHE 100 is illustrated, a variety of other RHEscould alternatively be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. Moreover, according to one or more embodiments, theRHE 100 may be eliminated altogether or replaced with a passive heatexchanger such as a passive heat sink, for example if the heat outputwithin the sealed compartment 30 is below a certain threshold.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of electronics interfaces 200 areprovided on or otherwise electrically connected to the motherboard 40and chipset 50 to facilitate electric connections between and among theperipheral electronics devices, tablet 10 components, and the chipset50, among others. Such electronics interfaces 200 may include, amongothers, PCI-X slots, mini-PCI Express slots 210, 220 (see FIG. 5), USBinterfaces, a speaker port 230 (e.g., a 3.5 mm jack) or built inspeaker, a microphone port 240 (e.g., a 3.5 mm jack) or built inmicrophone, docking port interfaces 250, an electronics interface 400, aSIM card interface 430, a memory card interface 450, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mini-PCI Express slot/interface 210facilitates connection to the motherboard 40 and chipset 50 of aperipheral electronics device such as a mini-PCI Express card 620 (e.g.,a wireless wide area network (WWAN) data packet radio card 620) via themini-PCI Express interface specification. The chipset 50 supports themini-PCI Express interface specification (e.g., via a suitable PCIcontroller). Although the slot 210, card 620, and chipset 50 rely on themini-PCI Express interface specification, any other suitable interfacespecification may be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention.

Hereinafter, the interface converter/adapter 300 is described withreference to FIGS. 4-11.

The mini-PCI Express interface specification does not support varioussignals. For example, the specification does not support voicecommunications (e.g., analog speaker and microphone signals). In orderto facilitate use of such expanded capabilities (e.g., radios with voicecapability), a removable interface converter 300 is used. As explainedin greater detail below, the converter 300 converts the mini-PCI Expressinterface 210 into a specialized, voice-capable mini-PCI Expressinterface 340 without the need to add a stand alone, specializedvoice-capable interface to the tablet 10. The converter 300 thereforeprovides increased functionality to the tablet 10, without taking upsignificant additional space in the tablet 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the converter 300 comprises a substrate 310(e.g., a PCB), a mini-PCI Express connector 320, a plurality of pogopins 330, and a specialized mini-PCI Express interface/slot 340.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mini-PCI Express connector 320 issupported by the substrate 310 and includes a plurality of edge fingerelectric contacts 320 a. As shown in FIG. 9, the connector 320 of theconverter 300 is removably physically and electrically engageable withthe mini-PCI Express interface 210. The connection between the connector320 and interface 210 via the electric contacts 320 a provides forcommunication according to the mini-PCI Express interface specification.However, any other suitable interface specification and interface typemay be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention(e.g., mini-PClexpress, USB, PCMCIA, SATA, Î2 C, or any other suitableelectronics bus). This mini-PCI Express connection provides power, USB,mini-PClexpress, Î2 C, and SIM signals to the converter 300 according tothe mini-PCI Express interface specification. However, as noted above,the mini-PCI Express interface specification does not provide for analogvoice signals.

The converter 300 is provided with voice signals (or other types ofcommunication signals not provided via the mini-PCI Express interfacespecification) via the pogo pins 330 (see FIG. 8) and a plurality ofcorresponding electric contacts 350 (see FIG. 5) on the motherboard 40.As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of pogo pins 330 are supported by thesubstrate 310. The pogo pins 330 are spring-biased electric contacts.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of corresponding electriccontacts 350 are supported by the motherboard 40 and electricallyconnected to the chipset 50, which may connect the contacts 350 tosuitable devices such as the microphone 240 (or microphone port such asa 3.5 mm jack accessible from outside of the tablet 10) and speaker 230(or speaker port such as a 3.5 mm jack accessible from outside of thetablet 10).

As shown in FIG. 9, when the connector 320 physically engages the PCIslot 210, the pogo pins 330 align with and electrically contact theelectric contacts 350. Thus, the converter 300 is removably connectableto the interface/slot 210 and the electric contacts 350.

While the illustrated connection between the contacts 330 and contacts350 utilize pogo pins 330 on the substrate 310 and contact pads 350 onthe motherboard 40, respectively, any other suitable electriccontacts/connections may be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the contacts 320 a are physically separated orspaced from the contacts 330. The connector 320 and its contacts 320 aare disposed at an end of the substrate 310. In contrast, the contacts330 are disposed at a central portion of the substrate 310 that isspaced from the end, and spaced from all of the peripheral edges of thesubstrate 310.

The specialized mini-PCI Express interface/slot 340 is supported by thesubstrate 310 and comprises a plurality of electric contacts 360. Someof the electric contacts 360 are connected/routed to some of theelectric contacts 320 a, respectively. Others of the electric contacts360 are connected/routed to the electric contacts 330, respectively.FIGS. 11A-11E provide the pin callouts/connections for the contacts 330,contacts 320 a, and contacts 360 of the converter 300 according to anembodiment of the invention. The combination of electric contacts 320 a,330 that are routed to the interface 340 and its contacts 360 define pincallouts for an interface specification that differs from thespecification of the interface 210 (e.g., by providing/supporting analogvoice (e.g., speaker/microphone) capabilities that are not provided bythe interface specification of the interface 210).

Although the illustrated converter 300 provides a voice-capableinterface according to a voice-capable interface specification, theconverter 300 and contacts 330, 350 may alternatively provide any otheruseful signal functionality to support any other suitable interfacespecifications without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the interface 340 is configured to engage aninterface connector 370 of a peripheral electronics device 380 via theplurality of electric contacts 360 according to the voice-capableinterface specification. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 380is a voice-capable radio 380. The chipset 50 is configured to receiveanalog speaker signals from the interface 340 and device 380 via atleast one of the electric contacts 330, 350. Similarly, the chipset 50is configured to send analog microphone signals to the interface 340 anddevice 380 via at least one of the first electric contacts 330, 350.Thus, the converter 300 facilitates electrical connection of the device380 to the tablet 10 (and chipset 50) via a combination of the interface210 and the contacts 350, 330 according to a voice-capable interfacespecification.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 340 and connector 370 havethe form factor and pin positions of a conventional mini-PCI Expressinterface/card, but utilize the non-standard pin callouts for thevoice-capable interface specification (sometimes referred to as aspecialized mini-PCI Express interface). According to alternativeembodiments of the present invention, the interface 340 and connector370 may use any other suitable form factor, pin positions, and/orconnection type without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention.

Hereinafter, the door-mounted electronics interface 400 and associateddoor 410 are described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an electronics interface 400 mounts to adoor 410 and electrically connects to the chipset 50 via an electricalconnector 480.

The electronics interface 400 is configured to removably engage at leastone electronics device (e.g., SIM card 440, microSD card 460). In theillustrated embodiment, the electronics interface 400 comprises asubstrate 420 (e.g., one or more PCBs), a SIM card interface/slot 430for a SIM card 440, and a memory card interface/slot 450 for a memorycard 460 (e.g., flash memory, SD, SDHC, microSD, microSDHC). However,additional and/or alternative types of electronics interfaces may beprovided by the interface 400 without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention.

The door 410 mounts to the case 20 for pivotal movement relative to thecase 20 between an open position (shown in FIG. 12) and a closedposition (shown in FIGS. 3, 13). According to one or more embodiments ofthe invention, provision of the interface 400 on the door 410 provideseasier access to, removal of, and insertion of the SIM card 440 andmemory card 460 than is provided according to various conventionalcomputers in which a SIM/memory interface is disposed in a deep recessin the case of a computer.

Although the illustrated door 410 pivotally mounts to the case 20, anyother type of movable connection could alternatively be used withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the electrical connector 480 comprises aplurality of electric contacts in the form of pogo pins that are mountedto and project from the substrate 420. The pogo pins 480 areelectrically connected to the interfaces 430, 450 so as to electricallyconnect to the cards 440, 460 when the cards 440, 460 are connected tothe interfaces 430, 350. As also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a pluralityof corresponding electric contacts 490 are supported by the motherboard40 and electrically connected to the chipset 50. The pins/contacts 480electrically contact respective ones of the contacts 490 when the door410 is in the closed position, but do not electrically contact therespective ones of the contacts 490 when the door 410 is in the openposition. As a result, the pins/contacts 480 electrically connect thecards 440, 460 (or other electronics devices connected to the interface400) to the chipset 50 via the electronics interface 400 when the door410 is in the closed position and the card 440 and/or card 460 engagesthe electronics interface 400. Conversely, the pins/contacts 480 do notelectrically connect the card 440 and/or card 460 to the chipset 50 viathe electronics interface 400 when the door 410 is in the open positionand the card 440 and/or card 460 engage(s) the electronics interface400.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the case 20 comprises a hole 500 throughwhich the pins 480 move when the door 410 moves from its open positionto its closed position. The hole 500 is preferably small (e.g., smallerin length or area than one or more of the interface 400, the card 440,and/or the card 460) so as to reduce an amount of electromagnetic and/orradio frequency interference that can enter the compartment 30 via thehole 500.

In the illustrated embodiment the electrical connection between theinterface 400 and the motherboard 40 comprises pogo pins 480 on the door410 and contact pads 490 on the motherboard 40. However, the relativepositions of the pins and pads may be reversed without deviating fromthe scope of the present invention. In such an alternative embodiment,the pins may continuously extend from the motherboard 40 through thehole 500. Moreover, the pins 480 and pads 490 may alternatively bereplaced by any other suitable connection that is formed by the closingof the door 410 without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention (e.g., male and female multi-pin connectors, aconnector/interface similar or identical to the interface 770 andconnector 760 used by the below discussed cartridge 700).

The use of contacts 480, 490 that electrically connect to each otherwhen the door 410 closes may simplify construction of the tablet 10according to one or more embodiments of the invention because thepads/contacts 490 can be formed on the motherboard 40 before themotherboard is mounted to the case 20. Similarly, the pins/contacts 480can be mounted to the interface 400 before the interface 400 is mountedto the case 20. Once the motherboard 40 and interface 400 are mounted tothe case 20, no further electrical connections or soldering need be madeto facilitate connection between the motherboard 40 and the interface400, despite them being on opposite sides of a small hole 500 in thecase 20.

However, according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the interface 400 permanently electrically connects to themotherboard 40 via one or more cables that are soldered to or otherwiseconnected to the motherboard 40 and interface 400 during manufacture ofthe tablet 10. Such a cable or cables could extend through the hole, andthe hole could be sealed around the cable to discourage debris fromentering the sealed compartment 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 12, and 13, a tool-less locking mechanism 510selectively locks the door 410 in the closed position. The lockingmechanism 510 is manually movable by a user's hand between a lockingposition that locks the door 410 closed, and a released position thatpermits the door 410 to be opened and closed. In the illustratedembodiment, the locking mechanism 510 comprises a manually-operable,partial-turn, D-ring latch. However, any other suitable lockingmechanism may alternatively be used without deviating from the scope ofthe present invention (e.g., tool-less or tool-requiring mechanism,captive bolt/screw, a latch or latches such as the latches 880, 890discussed below, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a piston seal 530 surrounds the hole 500and seals the hole 500 from the ambient environment/wet space 60 outsideof the sealed compartment 30 or computer 10 when the door 410 is in theclosed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 530 is mountedto and moves with the door 410 relative to the case 20 such that theseal 530 is sandwiched between a side wall 540 a of a recess 540 in thecase 20 and the door 410 when the door 410 is closed. The piston seal530 functions in a manner that is similar to or identical to the pistonseal 790 of the below-discussed cartridge 700. The interface 400 andcards 440, 460 are therefore disposed within the sealed compartment 30of the tablet 10 when the door 410 is closed.

The locking mechanism 510 may be designed to press the door 410 againstthe case 20 to compress the seal 530 and improve its sealing properties(e.g., improving its water-resistance and debris-resistance). Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, an arm of the D-ring pin of themechanism 510 may ride over a ramp/cam built into the case 20 as the pinis rotated toward its locked position so as to further press the door410 against the case 20 and compress the seal 530.

Hereinafter, the battery 550 of the tablet 10 is described withreference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery 550 is movable between anattached position (shown in FIG. 2) and a detached position (shown inFIG. 3). In the attached position, the battery 550 is supported by thecase 20 and electrically connects to the motherboard 40 (and othercomponents such as the chipset 50 and display 80) via a power connector560 (see FIGS. 3, 4) to provide power to the tablet 10. In the detachedposition, the battery 550 is not electrically connected to the tablet10, and may or may not be physically connected to the tablet 10. Amanually releasable locking mechanism 570 selectively retains thebattery 550 in the attached position. The battery 550 may comprise oneor more battery cells (e.g., a 4, 6, 8, 10 cell battery 550).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the battery 550 is in its attachedposition, the battery 550 covers the door 410 and discourages orprevents the door 410 from being moved from its closed position to itsopen position. This, in turn, prevents the cards 440, 460 from beingremoved from the interface 400 unless the battery 550 is removed. Thisarrangement may reduce the chance of memory damage/loss to the memorycard 460, which might otherwise occur if the card 460 were removed whilestill being powered by the battery 550.

Hereinafter, the GPS module 590 of the tablet 10 is described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the GPS module 590 module fixedly mounts toan exterior of the case 20 and electrically connects to the motherboard40 and chipset 50 to provide GPS functionality to the tablet 10. Thetype of GPS module 590 used in combination with its positioning on theexterior of the case 20 provides sub-meter GPS accuracy (i.e., 100% ofdata is within 1.0 meters of accurate) according to one or moreembodiments of the invention. Such accuracy may result from acombination of one or more of the following: the module's inclusion of adedicated GPS antenna, the positioning of the module 590 on the top ofthe case 20 so as to provide an unobstructed view to the sky/GPSsatellites, and/or the use of the latest generation GPS engine (e.g.,from U-blox or others). According to one embodiment, the GPS module 590comprises a GPS 2 Pro module.

Hereinafter, the tablet's use of antennas 630, 640 tuned to differentgeographical regions is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and10.

The tablet 10 includes a radio such as the data packet radio 620 shownin FIG. 6 and/or the voice radio 380 shown in FIG. 10. As explainedabove, the radios 380, 620 connect to the motherboard 40 via suitableinterfaces 210, 340. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the radios 380, 620include a main antenna connection 380 a, 620 a and an auxiliary antennaconnection 380 b, 620 b. The main antenna connection 380 a, 620 a isused for transmitting signals and receiving signals. The auxiliaryconnection 380 b, 620 b is used for receiving signals and may be usedfor diversity.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet 10 includes two antennas 630, 640 mountedto the case 20. Different cellular/mobile radio frequencies are used indifferent geographical regions (e.g., U.S. and Europe). The U.S.-tunedantenna 630 is tuned to have a small loss (e.g., 3 dB or less in thetransmit/receive) in the frequency range used in a first region (e.g.,the U.S.), while having a larger loss (e.g., 5 dB loss) in the frequencyrange used in a second region (e.g., Europe). Conversely, theEurope-tuned antenna 640 is tuned to have a small loss (e.g., 3 dB orless in the transmit/receive) in the frequency range used in the secondregion, while having a larger loss (e.g., 5 dB loss) in the frequencyrange used in the first region.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 10, during manufacture of the tablet 10, theantenna 630, 640 that is tuned to the region for which the tablet 10 isintended to be used is hard-wired to the main antenna connection 380 a,620 a, while the other antenna 630, 640 is hardwired to the auxiliaryantenna connection 380 b, 620 b. Such hardwiring reduces signal lossrelative to an alternative use of an intermediary switch that wouldswitch relative connections of the antennas 630, 640 and connections 380a, 620 a/380 b, 620 b. However, according to an alternative embodimentof the invention, such a switch may be used.

According to one or more embodiments, both antennas 630, 640 areincluded in each tablet 10 manufactured, regardless of whether thetablet 10 is intended for use/delivery into the first or second region.The inclusion of both antennas 630, 640 in each tablet 10 simplifiesmanufacture and may reduce the number of SKUs required to manufacturethe tablet 10 for different regions, because the same hardware (i.e.,both antennas 630, 640) are included in the tablet 10 regardless ofdestination region.

According to various embodiments, the use of two antennas 630, 640 maybe less expensive and/or take of less space than the use of a dual-bandor multi-band antenna that is suitable for use across multiple regions.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide a methodof manufacturing a plurality of computers, the method comprising:providing a computer with a radio and first and second antennas, thefirst antenna being tuned for use in a first geographical region, thesecond antenna being tuned for use in a second geographical region;determining which of the antennas is tuned for a geographical region ofintended use of the computer; wiring the antenna that is tuned for theregion of intended use to a main antenna connection of the radio; andwiring the antenna that is not tuned for the region of intended use toan auxiliary connection of the radio. The method may further compriserepeating these steps for additional computers with additional radiosand antennas.

Hereinafter, the tablet's cartridge bay 800 and interchangeablecartridges 700, 1000 are described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 14-21.

As shown in FIGS. 14-20, the modular electronics cartridge 700 ismovable relative to a cartridge bay 800 of the computer 10 between anengaged position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a disengaged position(shown in FIG. 5). When the cartridge 700 is in the disengaged position,the cartridge 700 is physically disconnected from the computer 10 (butmay remain tethered or hinged to the computer 10 according toalternative embodiments of the invention).

As explained below, the cartridge 700 comprises a cartridge shell 720,electronics 730 disposed within the shell 720, an interface connector760, a piston seal 790, and latches 880, 890.

As shown in FIG. 20, the cartridge shell 720 comprises first and secondshell portions 720 a, 720 b that bolt together to define a cartridgecompartment 720 c therein. The shell 720 may alternatively be defined bygreater or fewer structures without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. The shell 720 may comprise materials that are light,strong, impact resistant, abrasion-resistant, scratch-resistant,shock-absorbing, and/or water-tight (e.g., aluminum, titanium,magnesium, plastic, rubber, elastomeric materials, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the cartridge shell 720 has a top 720 d, abottom 720 e, and a side 720 f extending in a loop between the top 702 dand bottom 720 e.

The cartridge electronics 730 are disposed in the cartridge compartment720 c. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics 730 comprise oneor more mass storage devices (e.g., two 1.8 inch SATA hard disk and/orsolid state drives 740) connected to suitable connector 750 (orcontroller). However, the electronics 730 may alternatively comprise avariety of different types and combinations of electronics withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, theelectronics may comprise just one drive 740. The electronics mayalternatively comprise one or more mSATA drives or other mass storagedevices connected to a suitable connector. As explained in greaterdetail below with respect to the cartridge 1000, the electronics 730 mayalternatively comprise a combination of mass storage and processors orother electronics devices (e.g., radios, processors, etc.).

Multiple cartridges 700 may be provided with different electronics 730so as to provide increased functionality to the tablet 10 by replacing acartridge 700 in the bay 800 with a different cartridge 700.

As shown in FIG. 20, the interface connector 760 electrically connectsto the electronics 730. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 760connects to the connector 750, which, in turn, connects to the harddrives 740. However, the connector 750 could alternatively connectdirectly to the hard drives 740 without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. The connector 760 extends out of a hole 720 g in theshell 720 or is otherwise accessible through the hole 720 g.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, a corresponding electronics interface 770is disposed in the cartridge bay 800 and electrically connects to thechipset 50 (see FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the interfaceconnector 760 and interface 770 create a SATA connection from theelectronics 730 to the chipset 50. The connection provides a data andpower connection to the electronics 730. However, any other suitableconnection or interface type may be used without deviating from thescope of the present invention. Engagement of the cartridge 700 with thebay 800 causes the connector 760 to electrically engage the interfaceconnector 770 so as to electrically connect the electronics 730 to thecomputer 10 and chipset 50 thereof.

The piston seal 790 mounts to the cartridge shell 720 and surrounds theinterface connector 760, specifically surrounding the hole 720 g in theshell 720 through which the connector 760 is accessible. As shown inFIGS. 15-21, the piston seal 790 extends continuously around the side720 f of the bay 800 and forms a continuous perimeter.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 17, and 19, the cartridge bay 800 is supported byand/or at least partially defined by the case 20 of the tablet 10. Thebay 800 comprises a removable bay bottom 810 and a bay side wall 820extending outwardly from the bottom 810. As best illustrated in FIGS. 18and 19, at least a portion 820 a of the bay side wall 820 slopes awayfrom an opposing portion 820 b (see FIG. 18) of the bay side wall 820 asthe portion projects outwardly from the bottom 810. According to one ormore embodiments, the sloped portion 820 a extends around an entireperimeter of the side wall 820. As shown in FIG. 18, according tovarious embodiments, the sloped portion 820 a forms an angle α of lessthan 45, 30, 20, 15, 10, and/or 5 degrees relative to a direction ofmovement 780 of a part of the piston seal 790 that contacts the slopedportion 820 a as the cartridge 700 moves into its engaged position.

As a result of the sloping side wall 820 a, when the cartridge 700 movesfrom the disengaged position to the engaged position, the piston seal790 slides along the portion 820 a of the side wall 820 and is disposedin an increasingly interference fit with the portion 820 a and wall 820generally, thereby creating a good seal between the perimeter of thecartridge 700 and the bay 800 when the cartridge is engaged in the bay800. Thus, when the cartridge 700 is in the engaged position shown inFIGS. 3, 18, and 19, the cartridge 700 physically engages the cartridgebay 800 such that the piston seal 790 compressively engages thecartridge bay 800 and creates a water-tight seal that separates theinterface connector 760 from an external environment (e.g., the wetspace 60). A portion of the shell 720 on an opposite side of the seal790 from the interface connector 760 is preferably water-tight so as toform a door that in combination with the water tight seal created by theseal 790 separates the sealed compartment 30 from the wet space 60.

The side wall 820 is preferably made of a strong, stiff material such asmagnesium that is capable of enduring the force of the seal 790, whosesealing force is amplified by the cam/ramp operation of the slopedportion 820 a.

As shown in FIG. 19, the seal 790 facilitates the use of the engagedcartridge 700 as a door to the sealed compartment 30. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, by removing the cartridge 700 and theremovable bay bottom 810 (if the bottom 810 is even used), a user canaccess components (e.g., the interfaces 210, 220 and electronics devices300, 380, 620) within the sealed compartment 30 of the tablet 10 via aresulting access hole 830 in the case. As shown in FIG. 5, because thecartridge 700 is a relatively large area and the seal 790 spans arelatively large area, the access hole 830, too, can be relatively large(e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and/or 14 squareinches). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the access hole 830 providesexternal access (i.e. from outside of the tablet 10 and sealedcompartment 30) to the interfaces 210, 220 and any devices 300, 380, 620connected thereto to facilitate easy insertion, removal, and/orreplacement of such devices 300, 380, 620, despite such devices beingwithin the sealed compartment 30.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 14, 21, and 24, the cartridge bay 800 and thecartridge 700 include complimentary surface features 850 (see FIG. 5),860 (see FIG. 21) that form a rough hinge 870 (see FIGS. 14 and 24) whenengaged with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfacefeature 850 of the cartridge bay 800 comprises a notch 850 in thesidewall 820 (see FIGS. 5, 24), and the surface feature 860 of thecartridge 700 comprises a complimentarily shaped flange 860 thatprotrudes from the side 720 f (see FIGS. 21, 24) and fits into the notch850. When the features 850, 860 are engaged with each other and used asa rough hinge 870 to pivot the cartridge 700 about a rough cartridgepivot axis 870 a (see FIG. 24) into its engaged position, the hinge 870prevents a portion of the cartridge 700 adjacent the hinge 870 fromdisengaging outwardly from the cartridge bay 800.

As shown in FIGS. 23-25, to accommodate the pivotal movement of thecartridge 700 as the cartridge 700 moves toward and into its engagedposition, the interface 770 is likewise pivotally movable so as to matchthe pivotal orientation of the cartridge 700 as the cartridge 700 movesinto its engaged position. The pivotal movement of the interface 770enables the interface 770 to squarely connect to the connector 760, evenas the connector 760 pivots into the engaged position of the cartridge700.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, the interface 770 mounts to a frame 871that includes two pivot axles 871 a that pivotally connect to the case20 for pivotal movement, and are held in place by bolts 872 or othersuitable fasteners. As a result, the interface 770 is pivotally movablerelative to the case 20 about an interface axis 875 (see FIG. 25)between first and second positions. As shown in FIG. 24, the cartridgeaxis 870 a is parallel to the interface axis 875.

The first position of the interface 770 (shown in FIGS. 24 and 25) is aposition configured to initially connect the electronics interface 770to the connector 760 of the cartridge 700 when the cartridge 700 ispartially engaged with the bay 800 and the connector 760 first contactsthe electronics interface 770. As shown in FIG. 24, the first positionenables the interface 770 to squarely mate with the connector 760 inthis initial partially skewed angular position of the cartridge 700about the cartridge axis 870 a.

The second position of the interface is a position in which theinterface 770 extends straight upwardly, as shown in phantom dottedlines in FIG. 24. The second position is configured to electricallyconnect the interface 770 to the cartridge 700 and connector 760 thereofwhen the cartridge 700 is fully engaged with the cartridge bay 800 andthe connector 760 extends straight downwardly toward the interface 770.

As shown in FIG. 23, a spring 877 operatively extends between the case20 and the electronics interface 770 and urges the electronics interface770 toward its first position. Movement of the cartridge 700 from thedisengaged position to the engaged position causes the electronicsinterface 770 to move from its first position to its second position,against the bias of the spring 877.

Although the illustrated embodiment utilizes a pivotal connectionbetween the interface 770 and the case 20, a variety of other types ofconnections could additionally or alternatively be used withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention (e.g., a multi-degreeof freedom connection that permits the interface 770 to pivot andtranslate relative to the case 20).

As shown in FIGS. 15-17, an end of the cartridge 700 opposite the flange860 includes independently movable latches 880, 890 that are eachmovable relative to the shell 720 between a locking position (shown inFIGS. 14-15 and 17) and a releasing position. As shown in FIG. 17, whenthe latches 880, 890 are in their locking positions, pins 880 a, 890 aof the latches extend outwardly from the side 720 f of the cartridge700. As shown in FIG. 16, the latches 880, 890 are spring biased by acompression spring 900 toward their respective locking positions. Whenthe cartridge 700 is in the engaged position and one of the latches 880,890 is in its locked position, the pin 880 a, 890 a of the one of thelatches 880, 890 engages a respective portion (e.g., a respective notch910, 920 (see FIG. 17)) of the cartridge bay 800 and prevents thecartridge 700 from disengaging from the cartridge bay 800. Conversely,when the cartridge 700 is in the engaged position and the latches 880,890 are in their releasing positions, the cartridge 700 is movable intoits disengaged position.

As shown in FIG. 17, a spring-biased, manually actuatable ejector lever930 can be manually depressed so that it pivots about a pivot axis 940and pushes the cartridge 700 out of its engaged position when thelatches 880, 890 are released to facilitate easier removal of thecartridge 700. Specifically, when a button 930 a is manually pusheddownwardly as shown in FIG. 17, a lever arm 930 b moves upwardly.Because the lever arm 930 b is disposed at least partially underneath aportion of the cartridge 700 when the cartridge 700 is in the engagedposition, such upward movement of the lever arm 930 b lifts the front ofthe cartridge 700 out of engagement with the bay 800, therebyfacilitating disengagement of the cartridge 700.

As shown in FIG. 17, movement of the latches 880, 890 toward theirreleasing positions moves the latches 880, 890 toward each other, andmovement of the latches 880, 890 toward their locking positions movesthe latches 880, 890 away from each other. According to one or moreembodiments of the invention, the opposing releasing directions of thelatches 880, 890 assures that one latch 880, 890 is locked regardless ofa shock direction endured by the tablet 10 during an impact. Forexample, if the tablet 10 is dropped and impacts on the right side ofthe tablet as shown in FIG. 17, the latch 880 may tend to move towardits released position against the bias of the spring 900, but the latch890 remains locked, and is even urged by the impact to remain in thelocked position, thereby keeping the cartridge 700 securely in itsengaged position despite the impact.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cartridge bay 800 includes ramps 950, 960disposed outwardly of the notches 910, 920 (upwardly as shown in FIG.17). Movement of the cartridge 700 from its disengaged position towardits engaged position causes the latches 880, 890 to contact and slideagainst the ramps 93, 940, which force the latches 880, 890 into theirreleasing positions as the latches 880, 890 slide down the ramps 950,960. Once the latches 880, 890 slide past the ramps 950, 960 and aredisposed adjacent the notches 910, 920, the latches 880, 890 return totheir locking position under the bias of the spring 900, and lock thecartridge 700 in its engaged position. According to various embodiments,inclusion of the ramps 950, 960 results in self-operating latches 880,890 that need not be manually moved by the user to their releasedpositions in order to engage the cartridge 700 with the bay 800.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ramps 950, 960 are disposed on thebay 800. However, the ramps could alternatively be formed on the pins880 a, 890 a without deviating from the scope of the present invention.Such ramped pins could retract as they slide down a non-ramped portionof the bay 800 disposed outwardly from the notches 910, 920.

As shown in FIG. 17, the latches 880, 890 each comprise a finger grip880 b, 890 b to facilitate one-handed operation of the latches 880, 890such that a user may move the latches 880, 890 from their lockingpositions to their releasing positions by pinching the latches 880, 890toward each other using only the fingers on one of the user's hands.

The combination of the piston seal 790, hinge 870, and latches 880, 890provide a water-tight seal such that the cartridge 700 separates thesealed compartment 30 from the wet space 60 via a tool-less latchmechanism. In contrast, the use of a conventional compression headgasket instead of the piston seal 790 may have required the use ofnumerous, higher force fasteners (e.g., a tool-tightened series ofscrews/bolts) to achieve a water-tight seal over the large area of thecartridge 700. Moreover, conventional head gaskets typically require alarger perimeter seal area (e.g., 10 mm or more) than is required by theuse of a piston seal 790 according to one or more embodiments of theinvention, which may require as little as a 4.5 mm or less perimeterseal area. However, according to alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, such a conventional head gasket and tool-tightened fastenerscould be used to attach the cartridge 700 without deviating from thescope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the cartridge 1000 and its included video processor 1020and mass storage device 1060 are described with reference to FIG. 21.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cartridge 1000 according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention. The cartridge 1000 includes thesame shell 720, seal 790, flange 860, and latches 880, 890 as thecartridge 700, and physically connects to the tablet 10 in the samemanner as the cartridge 700, but contains different cartridgeelectronics 730, a different or additional interface connector 1110, anda different type of electric connection to the tablet 10.

As shown in FIG. 21, the cartridge 1000 electronics 730 comprise asubstrate 1010, a video processor 1020, a mass storage device 1060, anda controller 1080.

The substrate 1010 comprises a PCB, but may alternatively comprise anysuitable substrate for connection to the video processor 1020, massstorage device 1060, and connectors 1110, 1120 without deviating fromthe scope of the present invention. According to one or more alternativeembodiments, the substrate 1010 may be defined by the shell 720 itself,or omitted altogether without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention.

The video processor 1020 is supported by the substrate 1010, andprovides video processing capability (e.g., video compression) to thetablet 10. The video processor 1020 may comprise any type of videoprocessor. Moreover, according to various embodiments, the videoprocessor 1020 may be replaced with any other type of electronics devicewithout deviating from the scope of the present invention (e.g., anaudio processor, a graphics processor, a radio, etc.).

The processor 1020 includes a video in/out port 1030 that is accessiblethrough a hole 1040 in the shell 720. An octopus cable 1050 is removablyconnectable to the port 1030 and provides a plurality of videoinputs/outputs (e.g., RCA, S-video, DVI, and/or HDMI in/out) forconnection to external video equipment such as monitors and cameras.

The mass storage device 1060 may comprise any suitable type of storagedevice (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive, mini-SATA drive, NAND flashdrive, etc.). The device 1060 connects to the substrate 1010 via asuitable interface 1070 (e.g., an mSATA connection).

The controller 1080 is supported by the substrate 1010. The controller1080 electrically connects to the processor 1020 via electrical paths onthe substrate or via a suitable connector. The controller 1080electrically connects to the storage device 1060 via the interface 1070or other suitable connector.

A flexible data cable 1100 extends through the hole 720 g in the shell720. One end 1100 a of the cable 1100 connects to the controller 1080via a suitable connector. The other end 1100 b of the cable 1100connects to an interface connector 1110 (e.g., a mini-PCI Expressconnector) that is adapted to engage the interface 210 or 220 (see FIG.5). Use of the cable 1100 and connector 1110 provides a data connectionbetween the cartridge 1000 and tablet 10 that is not available via thenative interface 770 provided by the cartridge bay 800. For example, themini-PCI Express interface 220 to which the connector 1110 connectsprovides different functionality than is available through the SATAinterface 770 alone. For example, the connection of the connector 1110to the mini PCI Express interface 220 facilitates connection of thevideo processor 1020 to the tablet 10, even though the video processor1020 is positioned in a bay 800 that is designed for use by storagedevices, rather than processors or other PCI-interface based electronicsdevices.

A connector 1120 extends from the substrate 1010 through the hole 720 gand is electrically connected to the controller 1080. The connector 1120may be identical to or similar to the connector 760 of the cartridge700, and is adapted to engage the interface 770 of the cartridge bay800.

To engage the cartridge 1000 with the tablet 10, the bay bottom 810 isremoved so that the connector 1110 can be connected to the interface 210or 220, as shown in FIG. 5. The bay bottom 810 may then be replaced withthe cable 1100 routed through a hole or open slot in the bottom 810.Alternatively, the bottom 810 may remain removed. The cartridge 1000 isthen physically engaged with the bay 800 in the same manner as discussedabove with respect to the cartridge 700, which causes the connector 1120to engage the interface 770.

The controller 1080 provides an interface between the processor 1020,storage device 1060, and the tablet 10 (e.g., the motherboard 40 andchipset 50) via the interface 210 or 220 and the connector 1110. Theinterface 210 or 220 may additionally provide the cartridge 1000 withpower. The controller 1080 comprises a mini-PCIe to SATA bridge in orderto connect the SATA storage device 1060 to the chipset 50 via themini-PCIe interface 210 or 220. The controller 1080 also comprises amultiplexer to enable both the processor 1020 and storage device 1060 toshare a single PCIe interface 210, 220.

According to various embodiments, the controller 1080, processor 1020,and/or storage device 1060 may alternatively draw power from theinterface 770. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 1000 doesnot use the interface 770 to provide a data connection with the tablet10, motherboard 40, or chipset 50. However, according to alternativeembodiments of the invention, a data connection between the storagedevice 1060 and tablet 10, motherboard 40, or chipset 50 may be providedthrough the connector 1120 and interface 770 in a manner similar to howthe data connection to the drives 740 is provided in connection with theabove-discussed cartridge 700.

Through use of the cartridge 1000, two electronics devices (theprocessor 1020 and storage device 1060) connect to the tablet 10 via asingle interface 210 or 220, thereby eliminating the need for anadditional interface and/or leaving an additional interface 210, 220available for use by another electronics device (e.g., a radio 380,620). The cartridge 1000 may provide greater functionality to the tablet10 without increasing a form factor of the tablet 10 by providing twofunctions (processing via the processor 1020 and storage via the storagedevice 1060) in a space that would otherwise be used solely for storage(e.g., via the cartridge 700). In situations where storage capacity isin high demand, the cartridge 700 may be used with the tablet 10, as itsmultiple and larger storage devices 740 may provide for larger, fasterstorage. Conversely, in situations where video processing takes priorityover storage, the cartridge 1000 may be used with the tablet 10. Theability to switch between different cartridges 700, 1000 containingdifferent types and/or combinations of electronics 730 may providemodularity and improved functionality to the tablet 10 withoutincreasing a form factor of the tablet 10.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, theprocessor 1020 uses the interface 220 and connector 1110 for both powerand data communication, while the storage device 1060 uses the interface770 and connector 760 for both power and data communication. In such anembodiment, the controller 1080 may be eliminated altogether because theprocessor 1020 and storage device 1060 each utilize their owninterface/connection to the chipset 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a power switch 1200 (see FIG. 2) and aplurality of function buttons 1210 (see FIG. 1) are supported by thecase 20, electrically connected to the motherboard 40 and chipset 50(see FIG. 4), and accessible from outside of the tablet 10.

Hereinafter, the ability to control the BIOS state of the operatingsystem running on the tablet 10 before startup is described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

There are situations where a user desires to turn on a computer withoutattracting attention (e.g., in field military use). Conventionalcomputers typically start up in regular or “loud” BIOS mode (e.g., fullbrightness screen; volume/sound on; LEDs on), and can only be switchedto a quiet BIOS mode (e.g., low brightness screen, low brightness LEDs,Mute) by accessing a BIOS control screen while the computer is inregular mode. To overcome this problem one or more embodiments of theinvention enable the user to selectively turn the tablet 10 on in aquiet BIOS mode without first having to operate the computer in a loudmode. For example, the chipset 50, buttons 1200, 1210, and/or operatingsystem stored on a storage device 740 of the tablet 10 are configured sothat when the tablet 10 is OFF, a user can start the tablet 10 in quietmode by simultaneously pressing the power switch 1200 and a combinationof one or more of the buttons 1210, which causes the tablet 10 to startthe operating system in a quiet BIOS mode without first entering aregular/“loud” BIOS mode or requiring the user to enter a BIOS controlscreen after the operating system is already running Other combinationsof buttons 1210 and the switch 1200 could be used to start the operatingsystem in alternative BIOS modes. The same or similar buttons 1210 maybe configured such that their individual or simultaneous activationswitches between BIOS modes on the fly while the operating system isrunning The “loud,” “quiet,” and additional BIOS states can be definedand altered by the user via a conventional BIOS program/screen that isaccessed and used in the same manner as a conventional BIOS controlscreen. The traditional BIOS screen may also be used to switch betweenBIOS modes.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the invention provide a computer systemand method for selecting a BIOS mode at startup without having to accessa BIOS control screen such that the computer's operating system startsup in the selected BIOS mode without first operating under adifferent/default BIOS mode.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, removal of the battery 550 provides access toan access panel 1300 (see FIG. 3) that is fastened to a remainder of thecase 20 via suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts 1310. A pistonseal 1320 is disposed between a sidewall of a recess in the case 20 andthe panel 1300 around a perimeter of the panel 1300. The seal 1320 formsa water tight seal that separates the sealed compartment 30 from the wetspace 60 when the panel 1300 is bolted in place. The piston seal 1320operates in a manner that is similar or identical to the seal 530 of thedoor 410. Removal of the panel 1300 provides access to a hole 1330 inthe case 20, through which additional electronics components such as RAM1340 can be inserted and connected to the motherboard 40, anddisconnected from the motherboard 40 and removed from the tablet 10. Thepanel 1300 and RAM 1340 can only be accessed when the battery 550 isremoved.

The various storage devices 740, 1060 may comprise any type of suitablestorage device without deviating from the scope of the present invention(e.g., hard disk drives, NAND flash drives, solid state drives, etc.that connect to the chipset 50 via any suitable standard (e.g., IDE,SATA, etc.)).

The seals 530, 790, 1320 and gasket 84 preferably comprise resilientmaterials (e.g., rubber, an elastomeric material, etc.) that areelastically deformable under pressure to form a water-tight seal withthe surface (e.g., the case 20, walls 540 a, 820 a, touch panel 82)against which they are pressed.

As used herein, the term electrical connection and related phrases meansthe provision of an electrical path, and may result in a data connection(with may include an analog and/or digital signal connection) and/orpower connection between two electrically connected components.

Although particular types of interfaces and connectors are disclosedherein, any connector and/or interface may be replaced with any othersuitable connector or interface without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. Moreover, an interface/connection may comprise ahardwired connection without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention.

While the illustrated tablet 10 is described and shown as including avariety of components, features, and structures, any one or more ofthese components, features, and structures may be omitted from thetablet 10 according to various embodiments, without deviating from thescope of the present invention. Conversely, a variety of additionalfeatures, components, and/or structures may be added to the tablet 10without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing illustrated embodiments are provided to illustrate thestructural and functional principles of the present invention and arenot intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the principles of thepresent invention are intended to encompass any and all changes,alterations and/or substitutions within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A tablet computer comprising: a case defining a sealed compartment; atouch-screen display supported by the case, the display facing outwardaway from the case; the display further comprising a screen and a touchpanel, disposed outwardly of the screen and being transparent to allowviewing of the screen therethrough, through an opening in the case; asealing member, disposed between the touch panel and the opening in thecase in a water tight sealing relation; and a frame, disposed about aperimeter of the touch panel and configured and arranged to transfer acompressive force generated between the sealing member and the touchpanel to a chassis disposed in the case, substantially withouttransmitting the compressive force to the screen.
 2. The computer ofclaim 1, wherein: the frame comprises a frame member having an L-shapedcross section, one leg of the frame member being structurally connectedto a rear face of the touch panel, in supporting relation thereto,another leg of the frame member being structurally connected to thechassis.
 3. The computer of claim 2, wherein: the frame member extendssubstantially around a perimeter of the touch panel.
 4. The computer ofclaim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises an elastomeric material,and the compressive force is generated by at least one fastenerconfigured and arranged to fasten the case to the chassis and tocompress the sealing member between the touch panel and the case.
 5. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the chassis is mounted to the case.
 6. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed and arranged toproduce a selected stackup distance between an upper surface of thechassis and an upper surface of the touch panel that contacts thesealing member.
 7. The computer of claim 6, wherein the screen ispartially compressible, and the frame is constructed and arranged totransfer the compressive force to the chassis without compressing thescreen and without substantially altering the selected stackup distance.8. The computer of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a screen witha viewable size that is at least 8 inches in the diagonal direction. 9.The computer of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a screen with aviewable area of at least 20 square inches.
 10. The computer of claim 1,wherein a sealing force between the touch panel and the sealing memberis substantially constant around a perimeter of the touch panel.
 11. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the display comprises first, second, andthird user-selectable operating modes, the first operating modecomprising a touch only mode, the second operating mode comprising astylus only mode, and the third operating mode comprising a dual modewith the stylus operation taking priority over touch operation.
 12. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is adhered to the caseand the touch panel.
 13. The computer of claim 1, wherein the framecomprises a stamped, bent, stainless steel L-shaped member.
 14. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the screen is further supported by a shockabsorbing material disposed between the chassis and a back surface ofthe screen.
 15. A tablet computer comprising: a case defining a sealedcompartment; a chipset disposed within the sealed compartment; atouch-screen display supported by the case and in electroniccommunication with the chipset, the display facing outward away from thecase; the display further comprising a screen and a touch panel,disposed outwardly of the screen and being transparent to allow viewingof the screen therethrough, through an opening in the case, the touchpanel being operationally connected to the chipset to accept user inputfor operation of the tablet computer; a sealing member, disposed betweenthe touch panel and the opening in the case in a water tight sealingrelation; and a frame, disposed about a perimeter of the touch panel andconfigured and arranged to transfer a compressive force generatedbetween the sealing member and the touch panel to a chassis disposed inthe case, substantially without transmitting the compressive force tothe screen.